Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R10981/01
Title:	Bio-Robotic Walking Orthoses: Phase 1
Principal Investigator:	Virk, Professor GS
Other Investigators:	Allen, Professor R Chappell, Dr PH Tokhi, Professor MO
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Inspire/medical Physics Dept Salisbury Health Care N H S Trust
Department:	Electronic and Computer Engineering
Organisation:	University of Portsmouth
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 July 2001	Ends:	31 March 2002	Value (£):	114,933
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	System on Chip
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This phase 1 study is proposed to assess whether the bio-robotic technology can be used for the benefit of disabled people to provide assistance in a variety of situations. However, this is not currently possible as there is not sufficient information available in terms of the biomedical requirements and whether these can be effectively realised.This study aims to establish the user requirements and translate these into technical specifications for the devices needed by disabled people. Aspects where such requirements will be considered ad investigated will comprise the areas of sensors, actuators, powering requirements, mechanical configurations need for interfacing the device to the person, the electronic and computing requirements and how the device should be controlled by the user.Mechanical prototype bio-robotic walking aids will be designed, built and tested by able-bodied people, so that the energy and powering requirements for the devices can be identified and whether these can be provided within the currently available technology. The work will be supported by a detailed survey to realise practical issues of usability for the disabled users
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.port.ac.uk